The puzzling but typical left-wing editorials, and one letter, from the Sunday Times can be solved with three brief answers.

With regard to Wild talk vs. calm action on immigrants: The Times consistently blames people who want to protect our borders. I don't believe anyone has a problem with adult immigrants or their children, but what don't liberals get about this one-word puzzle solver: "illegal"?

With regard to St. Petersburg's illiteracy problem: The Times faults corporations, government, lack of money, tests, etc., but forgot the one word that will help every kid succeed in school, and it's where education begins: home.

With regard to the letter Affordable housing key to solution, the writer blames lack of housing (also read more taxes), overpriced housing (also read more free stuff), overloaded social services (also read more taxes), etc. However, the family's real problem is the father's refusal to be told what to do on a job, any job. Seems to me that's been part of any job I've had in the past 60 years. A one-word answer to this problem is: motivation.

Richard Carey, St. Petersburg

Humana comes up short on doctors | July 22

Insurers in control

There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that the insurance companies, as well hospitals, still control the practice of medicine.

Charlene Lake's plight is not just her own, but that of many patients looking for a primary care physician. Medical school graduates, upon finishing training, will find it much easier to work for an insurance company or hospital than incur thousands of more dollars in debt starting their own practice and hassling with the insurance companies. Good salaries, benefits and paid vacations will make becoming an employee much more attractive than hiring staff, buying equipment and paying for malpractice insurance.

Despite the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies must still make money. They will still look over doctors' shoulders and deny diagnostic testing and continue to make doctors jump through hoops to get tests or prescriptions authorized.

Young medical school graduates trained in the technological era probably won't know any better and will follow the herd. Older physicians, like myself, will just become the Howard Beales of medicine, open their doors and shout, "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore." I did that last December and don't regret it. Life is better on the other side.

David Lubin, M.D., Tampa

Midwife sues local health clinics | July 23

Birth control facts

As a nurse midwife practicing in Florida for the last 30 years, I must point out that the science behind many birth control methods available today is being ignored. Ongoing rigorous scientific investigation about birth control pills, IUDs and the morning-after pill confirm that these methods do not cause abortion. Plainly put, to make such an assertion is a lie being promoted by those pushing a conservative agenda.

Sharon Colson Carlisle, Temple Terrace

Shelter shields migrant children | July 23

Costs and burdens

Let's do the math. Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services got $963,000 from the federal government to house 16 children for six months, or $10,031.25 for each kid per month. Really? The director wants you, the reader, to know it's all about the children. No one disputes they must be taken care of while in the custody of the government. But can you, the reader, fathom spending $10,031.25 on each of your children every month?

Also, it has been reported several times on television by border patrol officials that there is no medical screening done at the border. They also say they have no way of knowing who these individuals are — some of whom are 17, male and sport gang tattoos. It is easy to gloss over the introduction of communicable diseases, gang members and perpetual welfare burdens to American communities when one is experiencing a financial windfall.

A.C. Lewis, Sun City Center

A caring approach

Kudos to CEO Rochelle Tatrai-Ray for her approach of taking in and caring for "our" border children. It is time to say "our" border children because they are here fleeing violence from their countries. What has happened to the American spirit? We as Americans can do much as a collective society only if we stop being self-centered. It is sad to hear some Americans say that "these children do not belong here and should be deported quickly."

Katherine Cappelli, Hudson

Rubio suggests Clinton too old | July 23

Youthful inexperience

As to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's remarks suggesting Hillary Rodham Clinton, 66, may be too old to be president, I would inform him there have been 10 presidents who took office in their 60s. The oldest, Ronald Reagan, was 69 when elected. Only two presidents were under 45 when elected. Rubio, at the age of 43, may be too young to take on the responsibility of president of the United States.

Dominic Grillo, Dunedin

Water for the World Act

Bill will save lives

Some 748 million people around the world go without clean water, many of them children. This contributes to two of the three leading killers of children under 5, diarrhea being the most serious, killing almost 1,400 children a day.

You have the power to keep these children alive, and all it takes is a quick call to your member of Congress to make sure he or she knows about the Water for the World Act, HR 2901, before the U.S. House.

By amending the Water for the Poor Act of 2005 and responding to USAID's new Global Water Strategy, this act will make better use of existing funding, strengthen accountability for water programs under way, and ensure the greatest impact on communities without spending new money or creating new bureaucracy. More importantly, it will save lives.